Clock mechanism and parts for the assembly thereof



J. MAYER 2,595,157 CLOCK MECHANISM AND PARTS FOR THE ASSEMBLY THEREOF April 29, 1952 Filed April 28, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET l J. MAYER CLOCK MECHANISM AND PARTS FOR THE ASSEMBLY THEREOF Filed April 28, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR. r/Jf/f Ma /47? Patented Apr. 29, 1952 CLOCK MECHANISM AND PARTS FOR THE ASSEMBLY THEREOF Jack Mayer, New York, N. Y. Application April 28, 1950, Serial No. 158,778

9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a clock mechanism and in particular to a clock kit having parts for the assembly of the clock.

It is an object of the present invention to provide means facilitating the building up or installation of various parts to a clock device, in particular a pendulum clock, which can be assembled and disassembled by children so that an understanding of the workings of a clock mechanism and the use of this mechanism to operate the hands of the clock will be taught.

' It is another object of the present invention to provide means afiording insertion and fixation of the clock mechanism in such a manner that it will be automatically retained in a casing against displacement without the need of any fastening screws.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide means ensuring the support of the clock device on a wall in a substantially perfect balanced assembly.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide means contributing to a simplified construction of a clockwork, whose parts can be easily connected to or disconnected from a frame, the side plates of which are secured against spreading movement and the working parts or shafts are held against displacement from the frame side plates.

Itis another object of the invention to provide means conducive to an improved and aesthetically pleasing and attractive structure of the pendulum for clocks, which is formed of a substantiallyfiat and hollow member having diametrically opposite openings for receiving the pendulum rod, the latter being threaded so that with an adjusting screw the pendulum member can be located at diiierent elevated positions on the pendulum rod.

It is still another object oi -the invention to provide means permitting the teaching of the assembly of clock mechanisms and the support thereof by a casing having transparent walls to allow easy observation of the working gears of the mechanism and of the escapement.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide an educational clock kit which is of simple construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to assemble, has a minimum number of parts, is compact and has easily accessible parts whose operation can be readily observed.

. For other objects and for a better understand-' ing of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the clock mechanism assembled within a casing.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and also showing sections of the dial plate, hands and the pendulum.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the assembly taken on line 3-3 of Fig.2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the casing with the cloclrmechanism removed therefrom.

Fig. 5 is a collective view of the body member for the clock mechanism and of the cross brace used to retain the sides of the body member against inward and outward displacement.

Referring now to the figures, my invention comprises generally a clock mechanism I'll, the parts of which can be assembled and disassembled easily, a transparent casing ll having special recesses for receiving projections of the clock mechanism to secure the clock mechanism within the same, a mounting plate l3 having a clip H for releasably receiving the casing II with the clock works Ill mounted therein, hour and minute hands I5 and i6 operable over a dial H, a pendulum structure l8 and an operating weight l9 connected through a chain 2| with the clock mechanism I ll. Allparts of the assembly are easily attached to one another or connected to one another without the need for screws or special fastening elements.

The clock, mechanism I0 comprises a channel shaped body element 22 having notched sides 23 and-24 (Fig. 5) and a bottom 25. The bottom projects slightly, as indicated at 26 and 21, from the side portions in order to provide means for releasably securing the clock mechanism ill to the casing H. The projection 26 entersa slot 28 in the end of the casing ll (Fig. 4) and the projection 21 enters a slot 29 provided by a guide formation 3| lying in one side of the casing and spaced from the opposite side thereof. A guide portion 32 provides for the slot 28. Between the slots 28 and 29 on the side of the casing II are laterally spaced ribs 33, 34 and 35 adapted to be engaged by the bottom of the body member 22 and having respectively abutments 33', 34 and 35'.

The double ended clip 14 is secured to the plate or vertical support l3 b'y rivets 36 and 31. By placing the clock mechanism l0 into the casing II and tight fitting the casing over the clip 14, the casing with the clock mechanism mounted therein against displacement is made secure upon the vertical supporting plate l3. The casing has its edge notched at the opposite sides shoulder 4i over which the bent end M of eachv clip will engage to prevent the outward displacement of the casing from the vertical supporting plate 13.

The channel body 22 of the clock mechanism has on its bottom a tab 42 which frictionally engages with the side of the casing H when the clock mechanism is in place therein so as to prevent rattling of the clock mechanism in the slots 28 and 29 and to cause the casing to tightly receive the clock mechanism.

In the particular embodiment shown the up- .per surface of each of the ribs 33, 34, 35 is tapered from the respective abutments 33, 34,

. 35 toward the opposite ends to thereby further correctly adjust the clock mechanism or body 22 of the latter with respect to the casing.

Each of the side portions 23 and 24 have spaceu projections 43 with holes 44 therein. When the side portions 23 and 24 are spread, these holes may receive the ends of gear shafts. A projection 45 at the lower end of the body member 22 has a slot 46 corresponding to a hole on the opposite side portion so that the shaft fitting across this part of the channel member can be inserted without a spreading of the side portions of the channel member. The shaft which extends be 'tween the side portions at this location of the channel member is a heavy main shaft 41 having a main driving gear 48 to which there is connected through a one way ratchet means, not shown, a driving pulley 49 on which is wound the chain 2| from which the weight 19 extends. The large gear 48 meshes with a pinion on a shaft 52 held between the projections 43 and in the openings thereof. This shaft 52 in turn has a large gear 53 which meshes with a pinion gear 54 of another shaft 55 which is also held between projections and which has an escapement wheel 56 thereon. Between the upper projections 43 of the side portions there is secured a shaft 51 on which is journalled a sleeve 58 that carries the ratchet escapement element 59. Fixed to this shaft 51 and adapted to depend downwardly is a pendulum rod Bl that has a hook formation 52 thereon. The pendulum has a hollow rod 63 with an opening in the upper end 64 for the attachment of the pendulum 18 with the hook formation 62. The rod 63 is threaded, as indicated at 65, and an adjustable nut 68 thereon supports a large dished pendulum plate 61. The shaft 63 extends through diametrically opposed openings in the pendulum plate 61 so as to permit the vertical adjustment of the plate 61 on the rod.

The main shaft 41 has an extension that extends from the side portion 23 of the body member and carries an inner sleeve H with a small pinion gear 12 and an outer sleeve 13 that has a large gear 14. The pinion gear 12 meshes with a gear carried on a stub shaft 16 which has a pinion gear I! that in turn meshes with the gear 14. These gears give the proper reduction to effect the operation of the hour hand I5. The ratio of the gearing is such as to permit one turn of the minute hand for one twelfth turn of the hour hand [5.

The minute hand is fixed to a tapered portion 18 of the outer sleeve 14 and the minute hand is secured by a squared opening to a square projection 19 on the inner sleeve ll. The minute hand Iii is locked to the sleeve H and both the inner sleeve II and the minute hand l6 locked to the shaft extension 10 by a cup-shaped washer 8| and a hand nut 82.

The clock mechanism accordingly works in the usual manner and the time of day can be noted from the dial l1 having the various numerals 83 thereon.

In order to hold the various shafts and gears within the channel shaped member 22 and to prevent the spreading of the side portions 23 and 24, there is provided a transversely extending piece 83 having notches 84 that enter notches 85 of the side portions and receive the side portions whereby to brace the side portions against both outward spreading and inward bending. All

of the parts will accordingly be locked in place upon the securement of the single brace 83 to the side portions (Fig. 5).

In the bottom of the casing l I there are spaced notches 8B and 88' through which the chain 21 extends. Also in the casing at the bottom thereof is a wide opening 81 through which the rod 6| extends. This opening 81 is sufficiently long to permit the free swinging movement of the rod BI and of the pendulum l8. I

Projecting from the upper end of the casing is a tab 9! having an opening 92 therein for the connection of the casing over a hook on a vertical wall. The tab 9| is to one side of the casing in order to counteract for the center of gravity being offset from the center of the casing and particularly when the weight I9 is connected to the chain 2|. To more effectively hold the casing upright there are small holes 93 through which a tack or screw can be extended for connection with the wall surface.

It should now be seen that the assembly and disassembly of the clock can be effected without screws or bolts and by a simple manipulation of the gear parts into the channel support 22 of the clock mechanism and of the clock mechanism into the casing and particularly into the slots 28 and 29- thereof, the securement of the casing over the end portions I4 of the clips N on the vertical support l3 so that the extension of the main shaft with the sleeve thereon ex tends through the plate I3, the fixing of the hands upon the inner and outer sleeves of the extension, the securement of the pendulum to the rod BI and finally the weight 19 to the chain 2|. Accordingly, there has been made a construction for clocks which makes possible the assembly and disassembly of the parts thereof without securing screws. This kit will have particular use to train clock makers and also as a toy for children.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. A clock construction comprising a casing having an open front end, side walls defining said front end of said casing, one of the side walls having parallel spaced slots extending from the front 'a vertically extending supporting plate having clip means on the rear face thereof, said casing having shoulders for receiving the clip means whereby the casing may be secured to the vertical supporting plate, and means on the clock mechanism engageable with the side walls of the eas- "ing to retain the clock mechanism against sliding movement in the slots and toward the vertical supporting plate, said vertical supporting plate having an opening therein, said clock mechanism having an extension extending through the opening in the plate, and hands connected to the extension.

2. A clock construction comprising a casing. having an open front end, side walls defining said parallel to the side wall face whereby said clockmechanism is held against inward displacement, a vertically extending supporting plate having clip means on the rear face thereof, said casing being provided with shoulders for receiving the clip means-whereby the casing may be secured to the vertical supporting plate, and means on the clock mechanism engageable with one of the side walls of the casing to retain the clockv mechanism against sliding movement in the slots and toward the vertical supporting plate, said vertical supporting plate having an opening therein, said clock mechanism having an exten sion extending through the opening in said plate, and hands connected to the extension, said clock mechanisn including a channel body member having a bottom portion and side portions, said bottom portion of the body member having end projections' engageable with the slots of the ca s;- ing, said means for securing the clock mechanism to the casing comprising a struck out portion on thejbottom of the body member engageable with the side face of one of the casing side walls to releasably retain the clock mechanism in positionin the casing.

3. A clock construction comprising a casing having an open front end, side walls defining said front end of said casing, one of the side walls having parallel spaced slots extending from the front edge' of the casing and having stop portions at the rearward ends of the same, a clock mechanism having projections extending into the slots whereby the clock mechanism can be assembled from the open front end of the casing and slid into the slots, said slots having guide portions extending parallel to the side wall face whereby said clock mechanism can be held against inward displacement, a vertically extending supporting plate having clip means on the rear face thereof, said casing having shoulders for receiving the clip means whereby the casing may be secured to the vertical supporting plate, and means on the clock mechanism engageable with one of the side walls of the casing to retain the clock mechanism "in the slots'a'nd toward the vertical'supporting .6 against sliding movement plate, said'vertical supporting" plate having an opening therein, said clock mechanismha'ving an extension extending through the opening 'in 'the plate, hands connected to the" extension, said clock mechanism including-a channel-shaped body member having side portions adapted to be sprung apart, and shafts and gears extenda-bl'e between the side portions ofthe body-member anddetachably connected thereto, the body side portions being spread to connect the. shafts thereto. 4

4. A clock construction comprisinga casing having. an open front end and side walls defining said open front end, one of the side walls having parallel spaced slots extending from the front edge of the casing and having stop portions at the rearward ends of the same, a clock mechanism having projections extending into the slots whereby the clock mechanism can be assembled from the open front end of the casing into the slots, said slots having guide portions extending parallel to the side wall face whereby said clock mechanism can be held against inward displacement, a vertically extending supporting plate having clip means on the rear face thereof, said casing having shoulders for receiving the clip means whereby the casing may be secured to the vertical supporting plate, and means on the clock mechanism engageable with one of the side walls of the casing to retain the clock mechanism against sliding movement in the slots and toward the vertical supporting plate, said vertical supporting plate having an opening therein, said clock mechanism having an extension extending through the opening in the plate, hands connected to the extension, said clock mechanism including a channel-shaped body member having side portions adapted to be sprung apart, shafts and gears extendable between the side portions of the body member and detachably connected thereto, the body side portions being spread to connect the shafts thereto, said side portions having notches therein, and a brace element removably secured to the notches to the side portions, said element having notches engageable with the side'portions whereby to retain the body side portions to secure same against outward and inward displacement.

5. A clock construction comprising a casing having an open front end, side walls defining said open front end of said casing, one of the side walls having parallel spaced slots extending from the front edge of the casing and having stop portions at the rearward ends of the same, a clock mechanism having projections extending into the slots whereby the clock mechanism can be assembled from the open front end of the easing into the slots, said slots having guide portions extending parallel'to the side wall face whereby said clock mechanism is held against inward displacement, a vertically extending supporting plate having clip means, said casing having shoulders adapted to engage the clip means whereby the casing may be secured to the vertical supporting plate, and means on the clock mechanism engageable with one of the side walls of the casing to retain the clock ,mechanism against sliding movement in the slots and toward the vertical supporting plate, said vertical supporting plate having an opening therein, said clock mechanism having an extension extending through the opening in the plate, and hands connected to the extension, said casing having slots in its front edge, said clip means entering said slots whereby said casing may be secured in a flush manner to the rear face of the vertical supporting plate.

In a clock kit structure; a U-shaped body having slotted side walls to thereby form bear- .ings in said side walls, a clock work mounted in being further provided with spaced apart offset ribs terminating in abutments, whereby said U- shaped body together with said clock work mounted thereon may be slid into said casing and held in position in contact with said abutments.

7. Ina clock kit structure according to claim -6, wherein said U-shaped body is provided with a tab adapted when offset to engage said wall of said casing on which said ribs extend, said casing being provided with notches through which parts of said clock work project when said U-shaped body is mounted in said casing.

8. In a clock kit structure according to claim 6, wherein said casing is provided with a tab arranged to extend offset with respect to the center of said casing to counteract for the center'ot gravity of the casing with said clock work mounted thereon.

9, In a clock kit structure according to claim 6, wherein the outer face of said casing is provided with abutments, and a dial plate having spring clips for engaging said abutments and to maintain said dial plate on said casing.

JACK MAYER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Switzerland June 16, 1939 

